Dragon Gate USA
Chicago, Ill.
Report by Dot Net reader Jason Collins

I went to DGUSA's show in Chicago. I've never been to a big indy event before so I didn't know what to expect. Had Gold Circle tickets so I got to go in early for the meet-and-greet. Got a chance to meet and take a picture with Bryan Danielson. Super nice guy. People brought neckties so they could take a picture with Bryan choking them. He was selling his 'Team Bryan' and 'Violent' t-shirts as well as 8x10's for autographs.

Pre-PPV Results

1. Soul Touchaz defeated three wrestlers from the afternoon's clinic in about 10 minutes. None of the three wrestlers were really impressive. There were several blown spots that clearly annoyed the Soul Touchaz.

2. Silas Young defeated Gran Akuma and Samuray Del Sol. Young pinned Del Sol in about 15 minutes.

3. Arik Cannon pinned Kyle O'Reilly in about 10 minutes. Cannon has kind of a Husky Harris build, and moves impressively. Crowd enjoyed the match.

Afterward they opened the doors for the general admission ticketholders and there was a 30 Minute break. I have no idea if they make an official count, but there couldn't have been more than 250 people at the show.

Untouchable PPV Taping

1. BxB Hulk defeated Akira Tozawa and Mike Quackenbush. Hulk pinned Tozawa in 15 minutes. Really fun match with lots of athleticism. Tozawa was really impressive as both an athlete and entertainer.

2. Brodie Lee defeated Da Soul Touchaz in a 3-on-1 handicap match in 3 minutes. Soul Touchaz came out and made an open challege to any tag team, which Brodie Lee accepted by himself. Afterward, he cut a promo saying he was "going to beat up some Japanese people tonight" which drew 'You are racist' chants.

3. Shingo defeated Dragon Kid by pinfall in about 15 minutes. The crowd was really hot for both wrestlers, chanting both names at various times. Another fun match with plenty of believable near-falls.

4. Jon Moxley defeated Jimmy Jacobs in a Chicago Street Fight in about 20 minutes. The first five minutes was spent brawling through the crowd. When it got into the ring Jacobs bloodied Moxley with a spike of some sort. Moxley won by draping Jacobs' jacket over his head, tying it around his neck with a chain and beating him with a chair until he could make the pin.

5. Chuck Taylor defeated Drake Younger, Johnny Gargano and Rich Swann in a Four Way Freestyle Match in 15 minutes. Younger was rammed headfirst into a guardrail early in the match, drawing blood. An OK match with Taylor pinning Younger who was probably only in the ring for three of the 15 minutes of the match.

6. CIMA and Ricochet defeated Masato Yoshino and Naruki Doi in 25 minutes. This was the match of the night. The crowd was a little dead early, possibly anticipating the Danielson match to follow. They really got hot for the last 10 minutes. Ricochet scored the pinfall after an incredible double moonsault off the top rope. CIMA got on the mic afterward and told the crowd he was naming Ricochet the newest member of his group.

Post PPV Main Event

1. Bryan Danielson defeated YAMATO via submission (crossface) in 20 minutes. Danielson came out to the Ride of the Valkyries music from WWE. Great back-and-forth match with a surprising number of dangerous spots. I had figured Bryan might tone it down a little to avoid injury, but it didn't happen.

Bryan got on the mic afterward and talked about how he'll never be a "Superstar," he'll always be a "wrestler." BxB Hulk came out to offer his accolades as well. Danielson transitioned into a promo for tomorrow's match in Milwaukee.

All-in-all a great show with tons of athleticism. and high spots. I will definitely try to check out the Chicago indy scene a little more.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: